Medvedev urged “not to stand on ceremony” with the Americans after the drone crash

Russia has the right to establish zones with flight restrictions in the Black Sea, and drones must comply with these rules. The incident with the crashed drone shows that the Americans are “completely insane.” This statement was made by Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev.

“In general, to put it simply, the Americans are completely insane. And to stand on ceremony with them is wrong. Although military contacts are needed, of course, ”- wrote he is in his Telegram channel.

Commenting on Senator Lindsey Graham’s call to shoot down Russian aircraft when approaching US aircraft in international waters, Medvedev noted that “accidents sometimes happen with such creatures.”

The politician drew attention to the fact that there is no international convention or any other international documents regulating the issues of zones with flight restrictions. He also recalled that the United States withdrew from the Open Skies Treaty, which allowed the flights of unarmed reconnaissance aircraft in the airspace of the countries participating in the treaty.

At the same time, Russia is guided by the Air Code, according to which the government can establish prohibited zones, dangerous zones and zones with flight restrictions, Medvedev said. He stated that these rules “are known to all users of the airspace”, and stressed that the restrictions must be respected, including by drones, since the Black Sea is part of the territory of Russia, “to which our sovereignty extends.”

On the morning of March 14, the Russian Aerospace Forces fixed the flight of an American drone over the Black Sea in the direction of the Russian border, the Ministry of Defense reported. The ministry noted that he was flying with transponders turned off and in violation of borders in the area of ​​​​the temporary regime for the use of airspace. As a result, Russian fighter jets were lifted into the air.

The Ministry of Defense clarified that due to the sharp maneuvering, the drone became uncontrollable and fell into the sea. It was emphasized that the Russian aircraft did not use airborne weapons and did not come into contact with the drone.

American side claimsthat the MQ-9 crashed into the sea after one of the Russian fighter jets hit the propeller of the drone. The Pentagon said the drone was on a reconnaissance mission, without specifying if the drone carried a weapon. The day before, March 16, at the White House called flight restrictions imposed by the Russian Federation over the Black Sea are illegal and have stated that they are not going to follow them.